Pop Therapy (Formerly The Curious Life Podcast)

with Jana Firestone
  • 5.0 (53)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Pop Therapy (formerly The Curious Life Podcast) is where therapist, bestselling author and unapologetic pop-culture obsessive Jana Firestone dissects the worlds we binge. From Bravo scandals, celebrity culture to streaming sensations and the fandoms that fuel them. With a clinical lens and a die-hard viewer’s heart, Jana unpacks the psychology of conflict, fame, friendship fractures, redemption arcs and the storylines we can’t stop analysing, alongside candid conversations with the people living inside the pop-culture machine. Smart, incisive and highly entertaining.

  1. 11 APR

    Miguel Luciano: Impressions, Identity and Imposter Syndrome

    Miguel Luciano is one of those people you think you know… Our parasocial bestie, an unofficial Housewife, our wildly funny comedic relief - until you actually sit down with him. And then the layers peel away to reveal a deeply thoughtful, multilayered and multifaceted creative with lots to say. Recorded in February in LA, after we met at BravoCon last year, this conversation goes well beyond the impressions, the Bravo connections, and the online persona. Miguel Luciano is an actor, impressionist, and quietly one of the most thoughtful voices in the space . He opens up in a way he has never before, sharing why he’s chosen this boundary around some privacies, and what it costs (and protects) in an industry that rewards oversharing. We get into imposter syndrome as an actor constantly trying to prove himself, the surreal experience of forming real friendships with Housewives, and the pressure of navigating identity in a digital world that thrives on polarising opinions. It’s honest, funny, and unexpectedly grounding - a conversation about finding balance between visibility and authenticity, performance and self, public life and what you keep just for you. This one stays with you. Support Miguel: IG: @themiguelluciano TikTok: @miguel_luciano Support the show: IG: @jana.firestone⁠ TikTok: ⁠@janafirestone⁠ ⁠YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast⁠ Website: ⁠www.janafirestone.com And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who gets it - or leave a review. It helps more than you know. Filmed and produced by Lazy Pickle Studios, Los Angeles. Audio engineering by Sam Talbot - work with him yourself! Head to www.samtalbot.com.au

    48 min

  2. 2 APR

    Scamandavol Emergency Ep with The Bravo Investigator

    Emergency pod energy because… what is going on. This Summer House scandal has had the Bravoverse GRIPPED for days and who better to unpack it with, than my friend, Dana Regan - The Bravo Investigator! The Scandamandavol chaos has had us glued to our phones, deep in the group chats with shades of PTSD from actual Scandavol - and trying to make sense of a “connection” between Amanda Batula and West Wilson that truly no one saw coming. We get into why this has hit such a nerve, what it says about relationships, perception vs reality, and why the Bravo universe continues to blur the line between messy and meaningful. Plus, we wrap with a sharp end-of-season breakdown of Southern Charm — the Craig vs Austen tension, where Salley fits into the mix, and who’s coming out of this looking better… and who’s absolutely not. Listen now and share your thoughts and outrage on socials! You can find Dana at: IG: @thebravoinvestigator NEW POD COMING: @allyouneedisyoupod Podcast: The Bravo Investigator Support the show and connect on socials at: IG: @jana.firestone TikTok: @janafirestone YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast Website: www.janafirestone.com Audio engineered in a a same day turnaround, by the wonderful Sam Talbot. Work with him yourself! www.samtalbot.com.au

    1hr 6min

  3. 26 MAR

    Talking to the Dead, Judging the Living with David the Medium

    What happens when someone swaps corporate suits and criminal prosecution for psychic mediumship… and still has strong opinions about the Real Housewives? In this episode of Pop Therapy, I sit down with David The Medium for a conversation that moves between the spiritual and the wildly human - intuition, the afterlife, grief… and yes, Bravo. David shares his journey from the structure of corporate law and counter terrorism, to fully stepping into mediumship, and what it actually takes to trust your intuition (hint: most of us are ignoring it). We unpack how he connects with loved ones who have passed, what spirit communication feels like from his side, and the bigger questions around death, reincarnation and what may - or may not - come next. But this isn’t all ethereal. We also get into grief, trauma and the emotional weight of holding space for others… while still being a person in the world. And in a turn I deeply enjoyed, David reveals his very real, very unfiltered relationship with the Real Housewives - the obsession, the frustration, the “why can’t I stop watching?” of it all. This episode is equal parts grounding, mind-bending and unexpectedly funny - a reminder that you can be deeply spiritual… and still lose it over Housewives casting. If you’ve ever wondered about intuition, life after death, or why reality TV hits so hard - this one’s for you. Connect with David at: IG: @davidthemedium Website: www.davidthemedium.com Connect with the show: IG: @jana.firestone TikTok: @janafirestone YouTube for FULL interviews: @poptherapypodcast Website: www.janafirestone.com Audio engineered by the wonderful Sam Talbot. Work with him yourself! www.samtalbot.com.au

    1hr 13min

  4. 20 MAR

    Love is Blind, Bravo and Breakdowns with Daryn Carp

    This week I’m joined by the brilliant Daryn Karp - and this episode is exactly what you’d expect when two pop culture-obsessed minds collide. We met in LA and instantly bonded over Love Is Blind, Bravo, and a shared tendency to analyse human behaviour everywhere we go - on screen and off. Daryn, is an entertainment world host, presenter and podcaster and true pop culture insider, who brings a behind-the-scenes lens to this conversation that I loved so much. She has worked side by side with the godfather of Bravo for the last 15 years and shared some of those insights here. We break down the latest season of Love Is Blind — the relationship dynamics, the red flags, the motivations — and what it all reveals about attachment, self-worth, and why these shows hit such a nerve. We also touch on Southern Charm, the psychology of being watched, and where therapy actually fits into this very public version of love, conflict, and reinvention. This one is sharp, honest, and a little bit addictive - much like the shows we’re talking about. Follow Daryn Carp:Instagram: @carpedarynPodcast: Shaken and Disturbed Website: www.daryncarp.com Follow the show:Instagram: @jana.firestone Website: www.janafirestone.comListen to more episodes of Pop Therapy wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you as always to our brilliant audio engineer Sam Talbot. Work with him directly at www.samtalbot.com.au

    1hr 10min

  5. 12 MAR

    Captain Jason on Fatherhood, Fame and Finding His Footing in the BravoVerse

    Back home in Melbourne after an incredible trip to the US packed with events, meetings, podcast recordings and time right in the middle of Bravo central, I’m thrilled to share this long time coming conversation with Captain Jason Chambers from Below Deck Down Under. On screen, Jason is the calm, steady force at the helm, but in this episode we go well beyond the captain’s edit. We talk about how he’s grown as both a leader and a person, the profound influence of his daughter, and why being a present father has taken priority over romantic relationships for nearly a decade. Jason also opens up about navigating the Bravo world off camera - including pushing himself through stage fright and the intense FOMO of BravoCon without relying on alcohol, and what that experience taught him about confidence, self-awareness and showing up as himself in environments that can feel overwhelming. We also get into the realities of managing crew in a high-pressure industry, spending long stretches away from family, and the emotional weight of leadership when the cameras are rolling. It’s a thoughtful, grounded conversation about fatherhood, growth, leadership and the human being behind the uniform. Support Captain Jason: IG: @captainjchambers YouTube: @captainjchambers Website: Captains Lounge Currents of Change Support the show: IG: jana.firestone Website: www.janafirestone.com YouTube: @poptherapypodcast TikTok: @janafirestone Filmed and recorded by Angus O'Loughlin at Session in Progress Studio in Melbourne. Audio engineering as always by the brilliant Sam Talbot. Work with him yourself at www.samtalbot.com.au

    59 min

  6. 3 MAR

    Reza Jackson: Moonwalks and the Motherland

    This week on Pop Therapy, I’m joined in person in LA, by Reza Jackson - and this one moves. We go back to his Iranian-Canadian upbringing and what it’s meant to claim his culture proudly as an adult. From building a content career to relocating to LA, Reza shares how he’s stayed deeply connected to the Persian community while carving out his own lane. We dive into The Valley: Persian Style, the cast dynamics, and why authentic representation actually matters. And yes - we get into his Michael Jackson impersonation journey, the art-versus-artist debate, the upcoming biopic, and the ethics of supporting an icon with accusations against him. Reza talks ambition, growth, and what the next five years hold - not just for him, but for elevating Iranian culture on a global stage. Identity. Performance. Legacy. And a little moonwalk energy. Support Reza: IG: @reza_jax TikTok: @rezajackson Watch: The Valley: Persian Style on Bravo, Peacock and Hayu. Support the show: IG: @jana.firestone YouTube: @poptherapypodcast TikTok: @janafirestone Website: www.janafirestone.com This episode was filmed at Lazy Pickle Studios, in Los Angeles. Supported as always by the brilliant Sam Talbot. Work with him at www.samtalbot.com.au

    1hr 1min

  7. 26 FEB

    In Real Life with Ryan Bailey

    This ep was recorded live in LA with my buddy Ryan Bailey, who is on the brink of his biggest plot twist yet: fatherhood. Baby Romy is dropping soon, and we get into how the preparations are going, what shifts when real life gets very real, and whether you can truly prep for a role like that. From there, it’s straight into music, pop culture and our shared Bravo brain. The shows we’re obsessed with, the cast members we love to hate (or hate to love), and what that says about us. Why do some people become villains in the cultural group chat while others get rehabilitated in real time? Ryan pulls back the curtain on the grind of daily podcasting and what happens behind the scenes when your job is to stay across everything. Fast, funny, self-aware and just the right amount of chaotic. Pop Therapy, live from LA. Support Ryan's incredible work at: IG: @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey Podcast: So Bad It's Good with Ryan Bailey Patreon: www.patreon.com/sobaditsgood YouTube: So Bad It's Good With Ryan Bailey Support the show! IG: @jana.firestone YouTube: Pop Therapy Podcast Website: www.janafirestone.com Work with Sam! www.samtalbot.com.au

    1hr 24min

  8. 13 FEB

    Chef Stuart O'Keeffe: Private Chef, Public Life

    This week on Pop Therapy, I’m joined by the one and only Chef Stu - celebrity chef, cookbook author, podcaster and star of the Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills. Stu takes us through his journey from Ireland to Los Angeles, what it really takes to build a career in the public eye, and how fame can blur the lines between your personal life and your public brand. We talk candidly about navigating a very public relationship and breakup, especially when that person lives a public life themselves.. The pressure of being watched in real time, and the boundaries you have to build to protect your peace. Of course, we also dive into the Bravosphere - from the new ick on Vanderpump Rules to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - and unpack what reality TV needs to bring back the magic. Plus, we touch on wellness trends like GLP-1s and NAD, energy culture, and the cultural obsession with optimisation. This one is funny, honest, and full of heart - with a little bit of cooking and a whole lot of Pop Therapy. Connect with the wonderful Chef Stu: IG: @chefstuartokeeffePodcast: Don't Let It Stu Connect with the show: Pop Therapy IG: ⁠⁠@jana.firestone⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.janafirestone.com⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠POP THERAPY PODCAST⁠ TikTok: ⁠@janafirestone⁠ Work with our brilliant audio engineer Sam Talbot at ⁠www.samtalbot.com.au⁠!

    59 min
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5
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

Pop Therapy (formerly The Curious Life Podcast) is where therapist, bestselling author and unapologetic pop-culture obsessive Jana Firestone dissects the worlds we binge. From Bravo scandals, celebrity culture to streaming sensations and the fandoms that fuel them. With a clinical lens and a die-hard viewer’s heart, Jana unpacks the psychology of conflict, fame, friendship fractures, redemption arcs and the storylines we can’t stop analysing, alongside candid conversations with the people living inside the pop-culture machine. Smart, incisive and highly entertaining.

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